Fuel consumption is an obvious attraction. The official claim for the five-speed manual SX Captiva being tested here is 7.6 L/100 km. A 3.2-litre petrol V6 auto (there is no manual option) is officially rated at 11.5 L/100 km.

Then there are the characteristics of diesel engines, their superior torque well suited to Australia's low-speed traffic and the heavier weight of SUVs.

For Holden there's another positive and that's the lack of turbo-diesel models in the line-up of the Ford Territory or Toyota Kluger, its two biggest opponents in the medium-sized soft-roader segment.

Considering the Captiva has already ridden keen pricing, good equipment levels and attractive exterior styling to third in the category, a turbo-diesel engine can only help its cause.

The Captiva's 2.0-litre engine is co-developed by diesel specialist VM Motori and GM's Korean subsidiary Daewoo. A four-cylinder, SOHC, 16-valve design, it includes common rail direct injection, a variable geometry turbocharger, an intercooler and a particulate filter.

In addition to enticing fuel consumption, its key figures are 110 kW at 4000 rpm, 320 Nm at 2000 rpm and a 312/5-star Green Vehicle Guide emissions rating for the manual. Petrol and diesel auto Captivas net three stars.

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Holden's pricing also is enticing. The manual SX diesel retails for $34,990, while the auto adds $2000. Those prices significantly undercut even Hyundai's Santa Fe CRDi.

The diesel is offered in all Captiva models except the more compact Maxx. But the SX is the only one with the choice of manual transmission. Across the rest of the range the diesel auto is $1000 more.

As the price leader the SX misses out on third-row seating, curtain airbags and a middle-rear headrest. Compared with the petrol SX it adds self-levelling rear suspension. Parking sensors are optional across the range. All models make do with a speed-limited spare. Only the luxury LX gets a trip computer.

Although the diesel is a new engine it does have some old-fashioned traits, such as the time it takes for the glow plugs to warm before you can crank the ignition. That's followed by a distinct diesel rattle at idle. It subsides as speeds rise, but more because tyre roar is intrusive.

The engine also suffers from noticeable turbo lag when accelerating from idle. The best way to solve this is to pay the extra for the auto. The manual's shift is also a bit truck-like in its long throw, although the effort is OK.

Once up and rolling this is a pretty smooth and responsive engine considering it is pulling 1.8 tonnes. Gearing is short, so 100 km/h comes up at 2500 rpm in top gear. Third or fourth gear at those revs produces meaty open-road overtaking performance.

Because the diesel is a heavier engine than the petrol V6 it has some impact on chassis behaviour, making the front-end feel a little soft over big bumps and holes. There's also that Captiva tendency, noted previously, to struggle for absorbency over constant small bumps.

The Captiva steers well by the ponderous standard of soft-roaders, without ever feeling particularly lithe. Its braking performance is adequate.

It is predominantly front-wheel-drive until slip is encountered. Drive is transferred to the rear wheels subtly and smoothly via an electronically controlled electro-magnetic coupling. Our testing was limited to formed dirt roads, reflecting the vehicle's capabilities, and there it behaved well.

Around town the Captiva is user-friendly. Visibility is good except around the D-pillar where the fashionable downward arc intrudes. Instrumentation is clear, the cabin plastics plain but inoffensive, the front seats big, slightly squishy and pretty flat. The large steering wheel adjusts for height and reach. There are plenty of storage and luggage options, including under-floor water-proof compartments.

The rear seats provide merely adequate adult seating space and the backrest angle adjusts. The way the bench seat folds easily flat could teach some far more expensive rivals a thing or two.

Mind you, almost all soft-roaders are more expensive than the Captiva Diesel SX and that is going to be a huge selling point. While nothing groundbreaking, it competently adds another buyer choice. If you can find the extra dollars, opt for the auto - it will make life that much more pleasant.